Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, with its rich history and tradition in Brazilian soccer, has always had exceptional players in all positions. Midfielders, in particular, have played crucial roles in the club’s achievements, providing creativity, vision and decisive goals. In this article, we’ll explore the 9 best midfielders in Botafogo’s history, detailing their careers, titles, defining moments and curiosities.
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The best midfielders in Botafogo’s history: history, careers and titles
1. Mendonça
Milton da Cunha Mendonça, born on May 14, 1956 in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most remembered midfielders in Botafogo’s history. He began his career at Botafogo and had notable spells at other clubs.
Titles for Botafogo
- Carioca Championship: 1989
Mendonça was one of Botafogo’s leaders in the historic 1989 Carioca Championship, which ended a 21-year run without state titles. His skill and experience were fundamental to the team’s success.
Curiosities
- Mendonça is remembered for his accurate passing and leadership skills on the pitch.
- After retiring, he had a career as a soccer commentator and coach.
2. Didi
Waldyr Pereira, better known as Didi, was born on October 8, 1928, in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro.
Didi is considered one of the greatest midfielders in the history of world soccer, famous for his refined technique and the “dry leaf”, a shot that revolutionized soccer.
He played for the Brazilian national team in three World Cups, winning the last two, and was voted the best player of the 1958 World Cup by FIFA.
Titles for Botafogo
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1962, 1964
- Rio-São Paulo State Champions Cup: 1961
- Carioca Championship: 1957, 1961, 1962
- Carioca Championship Early Tournament: 1961, 1962, 1963
- Cidade de Córdoba Cup: 1956
- Efficiency Cup: 1960, 1961, 1962
- Leader’s Cup: 1962
- Paris Tournament: 1963
- Governador Magalhães Pinto Tournament: 1964
- Ibero-American Tournament: 1964
- Mexico City International Tournament: 1962
- Colombia International Tournament: 1960
- João Teixeira de Carvalho Tournament: 1958
- La Paz Football Association Golden Jubilee Tournament: 1964
- Suriname Quadrangular Tournament: 1964
- Costa Rica Triangular Tournament: 1961
Didi was instrumental in winning the 1957 Campeonato Carioca, which ended the club’s nine-year losing streak.
He also shone in the Rio-São Paulo Tournament campaigns of 1962 and 1964, being one of the team’s technical leaders.
Curiosities
- Didi was voted the best player at the 1958 World Cup.
- He had successful spells at Real Madrid and Fluminense, as well as being a legend at Botafogo.
3. Gérson “Golden Shoe”
Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, known as Gérson, was born on January 11, 1941, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro.
He is considered one of the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history, famous for his precise passing and vision.
Titles for Botafogo
- Brazilian Championship: 1968
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1964, 1966
- Carioca Championship: 1967, 1968
- Guanabara Cup: 1967, 1968
- Carioca Championship Start Tournament: 1967
- Suriname Quadrangular Tournament: 1964
- Buenos Aires Carranza Cup: 1966
- Círculo de Periódicos Esportivos Cup: 1966, 1967
- Mexico Hexagonal Tournament: 1968
- Caracas Triangular Trophy: 1967, 1968
Gérson was the mastermind of the Botafogo team that won the Campeonato Brasileiro and Campeonato Carioca in 1967 and 1968. His ability to distribute the game and organize the midfield made him an eternal idol of the club.
Curiosities
- Gérson was one of the stars of the Brazilian team that won the 1970 World Cup.
- After retiring, he became a well-respected soccer commentator.
4. Seedorf
Clarence Clyde Seedorf, born on April 1, 1976 in Paramaribo, Suriname, is one of the most renowned players to have played for Botafogo. Seedorf had an illustrious career in Europe before joining the Rio team in 2012.
Titles for Botafogo
- Guanabara Cup: 2013
- Rio Cup: 2013
- Carioca Championship: 2013
Seedorf was a key player in winning the Carioca Championship in 2013, bringing his vast experience and technical ability to the team. His leadership on and off the pitch was crucial to the team’s success, and made him one of the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history.
Curiosities
- Seedorf is the only player to have won the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs (Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan).
- He is a polyglot, speaking six languages fluently.
5. Zagallo
Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, born on August 9, 1931 in Maceió, Alagoas, is a legend in Brazilian soccer, both as a player and as a coach.
Among the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history, his time with the team was marked by great achievements and leadership on the pitch.
Titles for Botafogo
- João Teixeira de Carvalho Tournament: 1958
- Colombia International Tournament: 1960
- Carioca Championship Tournament: 1961, 1962 and 1963
- Carioca Championship: 1961 and 1962
- Rio-São Paulo State Champions Cup: 1961
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1962 and 1964
- Paris Tournament: 1963
- Mexico City International Tournament: 1962
- Governor Magalhães Pinto Tournament: 1964
- La Paz Football Association Golden Jubilee Tournament: 1964
- Suriname Quadrangular Tournament: 1964
Zagallo was instrumental in winning the Carioca Championship and the Rio-São Paulo Tournament in the early 1960s, being one of the team’s leaders both on and off the pitch.
Curiosities
- Zagallo is the only person to have won the World Cup as a player (1958, 1962), coach (1970) and assistant coach (1994).
- He is known for his leadership spirit and in-depth tactical knowledge.
6. Jairzinho
Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho, was born on December 25, 1944 in Rio de Janeiro. Jairzinho is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history, famous for his finishing ability and dribbling skills.
Titles for Botafogo
- Carioca Championship: 1967 and 1968
- Brazilian Championship: 1968
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1964 and 1966
- Guanabara Cup: 1967 and 1968
- Golden Jubilee Tournament: 1964
- Buenos Aires Quadrangular Tournament: 1964[10]
- Suriname Quadrangular Tournament: 1964
- Círculo de Periódicos Esportivos Cup: 1966
- Buenos Aires Carranza Cup: 1966
- Mexico Hexagonal Tournament: 1968
Jairzinho was instrumental in winning the Campeonato Brasileiro, Carioca and the Rio-São Paulo Tournament, being one of the team’s top scorers and main stars.
Curiosities
- Jairzinho is known as the “Hurricane of the World Cup” because he scored in every game of the 1970 World Cup.
- He had outstanding spells at clubs such as Olympique de Marseille and Cruzeiro.
Read also: Best midfielders in Botafogo’s history: 10 icons of the alvinegro
7. Paulo César Caju
Among the names on the team that won the 1968 Brazilian Championship, Paulo César Caju was one of the great midfielders in Brazilian soccer, known for his skill and versatility.
Titles for Botafogo
- Brazilian Championship: 1968
- Carioca Championship: 1967, 1968
- Efficiency Cup: 1967, 1968, 1971
- Guanabara Cup: 1967, 1968
- Carioca Championship Early Tournament: 1967, 1977
- Cidade de Lima Cup: 1967
- Independence Cup of Brazil: 1971
- Petrobol Cup: 1968
- Mexico City International Tournament: 1968
- Dr. José M. Rodríguez Arnaiz Trophy: 1970
- Caracas Triangular Trophy: 1967, 1968, 1970
Caju was also one of Botafogo’s highlights when they won the 1967 and 1968 Carioca Championships, forming a lethal duo with Gérson.
His ability to create plays and score decisive goals was crucial to the team’s success.
Curiosities
- Caju was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1970 World Cup.
- He played for clubs such as Flamengo, Grêmio and Olympique de Marseille.
8. Sérgio Manoel
Sérgio Manoel Júnior, born on March 2, 1972 in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history. Known for his refined technique and vision, he had a remarkable spell at the club.
Titles for Botafogo
- Eduardo Paes International Tournament: 1994
- Brazilian Championship: 1995
- Rio-São Paulo Tournament: 1998
Sérgio Manoel was one of the cornerstones of the Botafogo team that won the Brazilian Championship in 1995, playing a key role in creating attacking moves and controlling the midfield.
Curiosities
- Sérgio Manoel played for several clubs in Brazil and abroad, including São Paulo, Santos and Kashima Antlers (Japan).
- After retiring, he became a soccer coach, applying his experience on the pitch to mentor new talent.
9. Paulinho Criciúma
Paulo Roberto Rocha, better known as Paulinho Criciúma, was born on August 30, 1961 in Criciúma, Santa Catarina.
Paulinho had an outstanding career as an attacking midfielder, with a great ability to score goals and create chances.
Titles for Botafogo
- Palma de Mallorca City Trophy: 1988
- Carioca Championship: 1989 and 1990
- Rio Cup: 1989
Paulinho Criciúma was one of the protagonists in winning the 1989 Carioca Championship, which broke a 21-year streak without state titles. His performance was crucial to Botafogo’s victory.
Curiosities
- Paulinho Criciúma also played for clubs such as Criciúma, Palmeiras and Atlético Mineiro.
- After his retirement, he worked as a soccer coach, contributing to the development of young players.
The midfielders mentioned in this article are more than just players; they are true icons of Botafogo and world soccer. Their contributions on and off the pitch have helped build the club’s rich history and inspired generations of fans and athletes.
List of the 10 best midfielders in Botafogo’s history
Here’s a list of the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history:
- Mendonça
- Didi
- Gérson (Canhotinha de Ouro)
- Seedorf
- Zagallo
- Jairzinho
- Paulo César Caju
- Sérgio Manoel
- Paulinho Criciúma
This article pays tribute to the memory and achievements of the best midfielders in Botafogo’s history, highlighting their achievements, defining moments and the lasting influence they had on the club and Brazilian soccer.
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